Crusaders scored three second half goals to overcome a dissappointing Carrick Rangers 3-0 at Seaview. Goals from Ross Clarke, Jordan Owens and substitute Declan Caddell ensured the home side took all three points in a game that only sparked top life in the last half hour.
On a glorious spring afternoon in north Belfast, both sides failed to bring a sunny performance to a rather poor first half. The visitors were hoping to replicate their 4-3 victory over Crusaders earlier in the season, whilst the hosts still have ambitions for a top-three finish. Home striker Adam Lecky had the best efforts of the first period, heading over from a Ross Clarke corner and then failing to hit the target after a smart turn and shot. On 38 minutes, the ever-lively Paul Heatley shot across goal after neat footwork in the box, Philip Lowry couldn’t quite reach the ball at the far post and the effort raced wide of Ross Glendinning’s goal. Carrick failed to threaten the hosts with any degree of frequency and were limited to a David Cushley effort from distance which was well saved by Jonny Tuffey in the Crusaders goal.
The second half threatened to go the same way as the first with a scrappy first 15 minutes. However, on 66 minutes Crusaders sprang to life. Lowry showed great skill and composure beating two defenders across the edge of the Carrick box before rolling the ball wide right into the path of Ross Clarke who drilled home an fizzing shot into the bottom left corner beyond the out-stretched Ross Glendinning to make it 1-0. Crusaders seized the initiative, and on 80 minutes added a second. Clarke turned provider, crossing from the right to the leaping Owens who headed high into the Carrick goal for his 248th goal in a Crusaders shirt. As Carrick fight faltered, Crusaders pushed hard to ensure the victory and their pressure told in the 87th minute. Glendinning made two exceptional stops in quick succession from Lowry first, then Ross Clarke, before Caddell bundled home a rebound from two yards out to make it 3-0. Carrick were out of ideas and out of time as Crusaders held on for the victory. The north Belfast side remain 4th, four points behind Cliftonville and still in the hunt for an automatic european spot, which they may ensure if their Irish cup run continues in next week’s semi-final against Dungannon Swifts.